Thinking about changing careers/learning a trade.

[MustardTiger17]

I had a pretty decent career going in the Casino/Hospitality industry before covid raped my industry to death.

I'm thinking about learning welding or construction or some other skill at a community college while working full time.

A colleague of mine told me that people in construction don't care about that stuff and I should just show up to construction zones and ask around.

Is this true? Anyone here in their late 20's successfully change careers with a trade?

[paulinkansas]

I've rented my furnished houses to about 1800 refinery contractors in the last 8 years. Boilermakers make good money, but that work tears up your body. Same thing with welders and pipefitters. Electricians usually have it pretty good. So do people doing Non Destructive Testing. They take about a dozen x-rays a day and spend the rest of their time sitting at a desk doing paperwork. Pay is around $35/hour with a per diem and regular overtime.

If you show up at a construction site for a job, they are going to be non-skilled labor jobs. Around here, that pays $12-15/hour.

[guest89]

If you want a career as a skilled tradesman you need to go to a trade-school or place that will certify you and teach you. Then an apprentice program if that is available.


I'd probably pick electrician, welder, or plumber. All three will never be outsourced and will never be replaced by robots.

[Jasonw1178]

The thing about construction is that when it's good it's great, when it's bad it's horrible. Yes, the pay can be great as well but you need to have the skills but if you don't have them you are going to be working very hard for the pay.

[GodlessWonder]

I had a pretty decent career going in the Casino/Hospitality industry before covid raped my industry to death.

I'm thinking about learning welding or construction or some other skill at a community college while working full time.

A colleague of mine told me that people in construction don't care about that stuff and I should just show up to construction zones and ask around.

Is this true? Anyone here in their late 20's successfully change careers with a trade?

Look for the apprenticeship programs in your area. Usually the Department of Labor has the current recruiting periods listed. At least that's how it works in NY. Usually pay the application fee and take a test, pass, and you're on a list to get hired. You get paid while they teach you.

[Heaney]

I had a pretty decent career going in the Casino/Hospitality industry before covid raped my industry to death.

I'm thinking about learning welding or construction or some other skill at a community college while working full time.

A colleague of mine told me that people in construction don't care about that stuff and I should just show up to construction zones and ask around.

Is this true? Anyone here in their late 20's successfully change careers with a trade?

I began my trade at ~25.

[ruskiMishka]

on my 4th year, with my side income i clear 6 figs, and you get to work with the homies, just dont be a weasel and put in ur work

theres also first responder and other technical jobs